World-renowned economist, agricultural development expert and president of the African Development Bank Group Akinwumi Adesina will receive an honorary doctorate of agriculture during the advanced degree ceremony May 4. Justice Albie Sachs, a retired judge, author and human rights activist, will be awarded an honorary doctorate of laws during the undergraduate commencement.

While on campus, Adesina will present on the evolving landscape of development research in Africa at 4 p.m., May 3 in rooms 303/305 of the International Center. The open forum will provide Adesina an opportunity to lead a discussion about how international universities can be more effective through partnerships.

This event is sponsored by International Studies and Programs; Alliance for African Partnership; College of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics; and Year of Global Africa.

Sachs will participate in a faculty-student conversation at 2:30 p.m., May 4 in room 204 of the Kellogg Center. Anyone interested in the politics, history and conditions in southern Africa; human rights; restorative justice; and constitutional law is encouraged to attend. The event is sponsored by the African Studies Center.

For scientific contributions to materials science, Professor Thomas Bieler has been named a Fellow of The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society. The honor is presented to less than 1 percent of the 13,000 TMS members.